Charters Are a Bright Spot in Education: Editorial

Most Americans are accustomed by now to hearing that our kids are lagging in basic skills when measured against other advanced countries. The glory days when we were global leaders are long gone, sadly.

But a new report from a coalition of major philanthropies adds two important twists, both of which underscore the need to charge at this problem with fresh vigor.

One is that our problem is not confined to poor neighborhoods. Our middle-class kids are lagging as well when measured against middle-class kids from other advanced countries.

The study, produced by America Achieves, divides each country’s population into four segments, based on wealth and advantage, so that each can be compared. The news is not good.